long ago

Meaning

Refers to a time far back in the past, many years or decades before the present. It is often used in storytelling, historical contexts, or when recalling distant personal memories.

Examples

• They used to live in this small town long ago, before the factory closed.

  They used to live in this small town long ago, before the factory closed.

• That movie was made long ago, but it is still very popular today.

  That movie was made long ago, but it is still very popular today.

• Dinosaurs roamed the Earth long ago, before humans existed.

  Dinosaurs roamed the Earth long ago, before humans existed.

• I started learning how to play the guitar long ago, when I was in high school.

  I started learning how to play the guitar long ago, when I was in high school.

• This castle was built long ago by a famous medieval king.

  This castle was built long ago by a famous medieval king.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I met him since long ago.

  ✓ I met him long ago.

  'Long ago' specifies a finished point in the distant past and is used with the past simple. 'Since' is used with the present perfect to show duration up to the present.

• ✗ It happened many times long ago.

  ✓ It happened a long time ago.

  While 'long ago' is grammatically fine, native speakers prefer 'a long time ago' when discussing specific, singular personal events rather than general historical epochs.

Related Expressions

Practice

• My grandparents immigrated to this country ___.

  💡 In the distant past

  Show answer

  long ago

• That old custom was forgotten ___.

  💡 Many years in the past

  Show answer

  long ago